Liberty list

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Virginia ranks ninth in freedom among U.S.

Virginia-one of the original 13 colonies, birthplace of several founding fathers and home to the oldest legislature in the nation- ranks ninth in overall freedom, according to a new report by the Mercatus Center. The Commonwealth dropped two spots since the 2007 report, ranking fifth in economic freedom, but only 23rd in personal freedom.

"Virginia is, by our count, the freest state in the South," write the authors of the report, William Ruger, an assistant professor of political science at Texas State University, and Jason Sorens, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Buffalo. "However, like the other states below the Mason-Dixon line, it fares better in terms of economic freedom than personal freedom."

The "Freedom in the 50 States" report examines each state's (1) social and personal freedoms, such as the right to bear arms and the right to educate children as seen fit by parents; (2) public policies, such as right-to-work laws and land-use laws; and (3) fiscal policies, such as taxation and state spending.

"In our view, individuals should be allowed to dispose of their lives, liberties, and properties as they see fit, as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others," states the Mercatus Center report.

The report's findings include:

Virginia state spending, debt, and taxation rates are all below national average, but the state's asset-forfeiture laws make it too easy for the government to seize private assets. Cigarette taxes are low and smoking is not banned in private workplaces, but spirits tax rates are the third highest in the U.S. Virginia has no community rating for health insurance, but does have extensive coverage mandates which cause high average insurance costs. The state's liability system is among the nation's best, and its eminent domain policies are not as powerful as those in neighboring states. While Virginia does allow open carry, there is "much room for improvement" regarding state gun laws. Regulations that require 13 mandatory years of schooling and force homeschoolers to use standardized testing infringe on the personal freedom of parents who choose to homeschool their children or send them to private schools. Marijuana laws remain unreformed. Virginia has fewer arrests for victimless crimes than other states, and its drug law-enforcement rate is also low.

The report states that Virginia can move up the freedom list if it revises asset-forfeiture laws, cuts the number of state and local government employees, and reduces liquor taxes.

Virginia ranks higher than any of its neighbors, including West Virginia (36th), Kentucky (32nd), and Maryland (43rd). West Virginia received low marks because of high state employment and high corporate income tax; Kentucky received low marks because of state spending and homeschool recordkeeping requirements; and Maryland received low marks because of mandatory occupational licensing and laws against same-sex civil unions.

New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Indiana were the top three states overall, while California, New Jersey, and New York claimed the bottom three spots.

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is a university-based research center with the mission of generating knowledge about how institutions affect personal and economic freedom.

Read the entire report here.

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